On March 18, 2026, the Ecosystem Advisory Team and Design Team gathered in San Diego for the third Ecosystem Plan convening, where we launched “Dream a Vision of the Future”– a statewide listening strategy rooted in relationships, community wisdom, and lived experience. This effort helps us understand what young people, families, and the workforce need to truly thrive, and is shaping a shared Ecosystem Plan that strengthens Expanded Learning as a platform for whole child, family, and workforce wellbeing.

We are currently piloting the EXL Statewide Listening Toolkit: A Flexible Guide for Decolonized Data Collection and Collective Meaning-Making. As we listen, we are also learning and adapting the toolkit in real time based on insights from communities across California. It will be released in late Fall as a shared offering to deepen relationships and support a shift from “power over” to “power with” in how we shape the future together.

Listening Strategy in Action:

We partnered with CalSAC and hosted a listening session with Teens Advocating for Civic Action (TACA) at the 2026 Afterschool and Summer Challenge in Sacramento! Centered on the theme, “If you are dreaming, we are dreaming alongside you.” This listening session experience was curated to unleash the dreams, desires, and demands of this unique configuration of youth. We are honored to have co-created a “Dream Space” where youth voice and choice are reflected in the Ecosystem Plan!

If you are interested in having a listening session come to your program, please email Vanessa Hernandez at vhernandez@afterschoolnetwork.org.

Call to Action:

Add your voice to the movement! Participate in this month’s Soundwave (our short strategic design survey) and help shape the emerging strategic priority: Youth, Family & Community Voice + Power.